Documentary Photography Archive: Old Trafford - off the field of play. A one-day...

In June 1987, the DPA asked Ged Murray to undertake a one-day photographic commission on the subject of the Lancashire County Cricket Club at Old Trafford. The photographer was asked to ignore the activities taking place on the field of play, which would be documented by press photographers and television coverage, and to concentrate instead on the spectator experience and the behind the scenes organisation. The photographs were taken on 5 and 6 August 1987 when Lancashire were playing a county match against Northamptonshire.

The idea of the one-day commission was devised to increase the number of new accessions into the contemporary collections of the DPA. The work was not intended to result in an exhibition. Another one-day commission was offered at the same time to Shirley Baker (see c4).

Ged Murray was selected by the DPA as he is a freelance photographer working normally for newspapers and magazines. It was felt he might offer a different perspective and approach to the work.